It’s among the many most sought-after awards in American sports activities, however why is it referred to as the Lombardi trophy? It’s bestowed to the profitable crew of the Tremendous Bowl annually and is crafted from scratch by an surprising luxurious jeweler.
Greater than 200 million individuals tune into the sport annually, however the Tremendous Bowl had humble beginnings. It began in 1966 as a part of a merger between the Nationwide Soccer League and the American Soccer League. It was initially titled the AFL-NFL World Championship Sport till the Tremendous Bowl title was adopted within the 1969 Tremendous Bowl III.
Within the current day, the Tremendous Bowl is the annual last playoff recreation between the American Soccer Convention Champion and the Nationwide Soccer Convention champion traditionally performed on a Sunday from mid-January to late February.
Of the NFL’s present 32 groups, 20 (11 NFC and 9 AFC) have received the Tremendous Bowl and 15 (7 NFC and eight AFC) maintain a number of titles. The AFC’s Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots maintain the file amongst AFC groups for essentially the most Tremendous Bowl titles at six every. The Patriots maintain the file amongst AFC groups for essentially the most Tremendous Bowl appearances at 11. The NFC’s Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers maintain the file among the many NFC for essentially the most Tremendous Bowl titles at 5 every. The Cowboys maintain the file amongst NFC groups for essentially the most appearances with eight.
Because it first aired, the Tremendous Bowl has turn out to be the most-watched sporting occasion on American tv. In reality, the seven most-watched broadcasts in American tv historical past are Tremendous Bowls. Now that you recognize the historical past of the Tremendous Bowl, right here’s why it’s referred to as the Vince Lombardi trophy.
Why is it referred to as the Lombardi trophy?
It’s referred to as the Lombardi trophy after Vince Lombardi, one of many nice coaches in NFL historical past. Lombardi was the pinnacle coach of the Inexperienced Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967, main the crew to 5 NFL championships and victories within the first two Tremendous Bowls (Tremendous Bowl I and II). Lombardi’s teaching philosophy and success made him a legendary determine within the NFL.
After Vince Lombardi handed away in 1970, the NFL determined to call the trophy awarded to the Tremendous Bowl champions in his honor. The primary Lombardi Trophy was awarded to the Baltimore Colts, the winners of Tremendous Bowl V in 1971. Since then, the trophy has been introduced yearly to the crew that wins the Tremendous Bowl, making it one of the prestigious and recognizable awards in American sports activities.
Who makes the Lombardi trophy?
Iconic luxurious jeweler Tiffany & Co. makes the Lombardi trophy from scratch yearly. Because the legend goes, Tiffany & Co. vice chairman Oscar Riedner sketched the trophy design on a cocktail serviette over lunch with NFL commissioner, Pete Rozelle, in 1966.
It’s “completely true,” Victoria Reynolds, Tiffany & Co. chief gemologist who beforehand ran enterprise gross sales and sports activities advertising advised Quick Firm. “I believe all of us [think of] Mad Males—you recognize, these two guys sitting there and sketching—however it’s, in truth, true.” She added, “It’s actually a murals. And since it’s so easy, any sort of mistake would present instantly. So, it actually needs to be excellent.”
After all, “The safety on that’s fairly one thing, as you may think about. It’s executed very discreetly. However it’s executed with a full safety crew. […] It’s transported with absolute security and secrecy,” Reynolds continued, and Quick Firm reported that Tiffany & Co. has not disclosed the fee and valuation of every trophy.
Nonetheless, SportingNews had stated beforehand that the trophy prices $50,000 to make, however the bodily trophy itself is estimated to be valued at round $10,000. It’s made out of sterling silver and takes round 4 months to place collectively. The Lombardi Trophy measures 20.75 inches excessive and weighs seven kilos.
